Fire-escape ladder and water-tower.



No. 640,645. Patented lan. 2, |900.

J. W. FALL.

COMBINED FIRE ESCAPE LADDER ND WATER TOWER.

(Application led Aug, v30, 1899;) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet' l.

YH: ,Mouans Ptrsns co.. PNu'rourHo.. wAswmaToN. DI c.

Patented 1an. 2, |900.

.1. w. FALL. COMBINED FIRE ESCAPE LADDER AND WATER TOWER.

(Application led Aug. 30, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet` 2,

(No Model.)

fue Noam: Parras w. PMoToLrrwo.. wAsxmamN, n4 c.

No. 640,645. vPatented lan. 2, |900.

J. w. FALL. y COMBINED FIRE ESCAPE' LADDER AND WATER TOWER.

(Application filed Aug. 30, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

me nonms vnsRs co. Fuero-Limo.. wAsHwsmn. D. a

JOI'IN WV. FALL, OF CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA;

FIRE-ESCAPE LADDER AND WATER-TOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 640,645, dated. January 2, 1900.

Application iilecl August 30, 1899. Serial No. 729,006. (No model.) l

T0 all whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, JOHN W. FALL, acilizen of the United States, residing at Crawfordsville, in the county of Montgomery and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Combined Fire-Escape Ladder and Water- Tower, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fire apparatus, and more particularly to Water-towers; and the primary object in View is to provide a comparatively simple and compact apparatus which may be rapidly and easily adj usted in position for service and for directing a stream of Water at any elevation into the building without the necessity for a fireman to mount a ladder and handle-a hose.

A further object of the invention is to simplify and strengthen the construction of the supporting-frame, including its pivoted and slidable sections, and to provide means by which the slidable frame-section may be manipulated independently of the pivoted section.

A further object is to provide a-iiexible water-carrying pipe or hose Ahaving a stiff nozzle and a novel form of carrier for the nozzle, which remains attached to the slidable frame-section, so as to be adjustable therewith, whereby in the operation of raising the' supporting-frame the nozzle and the hose will be elevated at the same time. Y

A further object is to provide means for conveniently manipulating the hose-nozzle by a fireman stationed on the truck, thus enabling the direction of the nozzle and the stream of water to be changed quickly and without exposing the fireman to the flames and smoke issuing from an elevated floor in a burning building. A further object is to provide means by which the length of the slidable frame-section may be increased within desirable limits, and the coupling appliances which I employ for uniting the members of the slidable framesection render the frame as strong, if not stronger, at the joint than at other places.

With these ends` in view the invention consists in the novel combination of mechanisms and in the construction, arrangement, and adaptation of the various parts f or service, as Will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand the invention, I have illustrated a preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming a part" of this specification, and in whichl.

Figure l is a central sectional elevation through a re apparatus embodying my im# provements, showing by full lines the supporting-frame raised and extended to its op'- erative posit-ion and by dotted lines the contracted and folded position of the frame. Fig. 2 is a front elevation with part of the truck-bed in section and the apparatus in the full-line position of Fig. l. tional plan view of the apparatus, the plane of section being indicated by the dotted line 3 3 of Fig. 1 and showing the water-hose coiled on the bed of the truck. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation through the upper part of the main pivoted framesection, a part of the slidable frame-section, and a fragment of the water-hose. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through a part of the extensible frame, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted line 5 5 of Fig. 4: looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 6 is another transverse section through the extensible frame, taken in the plane of the line 6 (i of Fig. et. Fig. 7 is a detail view in elevation of the upper end of theslidable frame-section, illustrating the hose-nozzle carrier in elevation and the water-hose in transverse section. Fig. Sis a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7, the dotted-line position indicating an adjustment of the hose-nozzle and its carrier. Fig. 9 is a detail View illustrating the coupling employed for connecting the contiguous ends of supporting-frame members, Which may form the slidable section of the extensible frame. Fig. 10 is a transverse section in the plane indicated by the dotted line 10 l0 of Fig. 9..

Fig. l1 is a detail perspective View of the le- Fig. 3 is a secver and take-up drum, by which the adjusting-line and nozzle-carrier may be manipulated.

The same numerals of reference are used to indicate like and corresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

The truck of my apparatus includes a substantially horizontal bed 10, the f ront and rear axles 1l having the usual wheels 12 and standing-boards 13 on the sides of the bed.

.i aidait The runninggear on which the bed 10 is mounted may be of the usual or any preferred construction common to apparatus of this class; but I prefer to employ a pivotal front axle, by which the truck may be easily moved by shifting the position of the team or the draft-tongue by hand for the purpose of attaining an adjustment of the hose-nozzle in a horizontal plane, as Will hereinafter be referred to. The bed 10 is provided with a series of horizontal side rails 14 14, certain of which extend the full length of the bed. At or near the front end of the bed is erected an upright front frame, which consists of a pair of posts 15, a series of posts 16, and suitable horizontal pieces 17, which are framed into the posts to produce a substantial construction of the frame. At a point intermediate its length the truck-bed has a frame consisting of pairs of posts 19, adapted to stay another pair of posts which assist in supporting the Weight of the extensible supporting-traine on the elevation thereof into operative position, as will hereinafter appear, and for the purpose of distinguishing the frame 1Q from the frame heretofore described as the front frame I will hereinafter refer to said frame 19 as the rear trarne.

The extensible aerial s u pporti ng-f rame consists of a main pivotal section 2() and a slidable section 21, each of which consists ot' side rails and transverse braces, forming, in eiiect, a ladder to permit ready ascent and descent of the frame. The lower or main frame-section is pivotally supported on the truck-bed, while the slidable frame-section is confined on the pivotal section in a manner to slide lengthwise thereof but I have devised an improved construction of these frame-sections which simplifies and strengthens the saine. The main frame-section 20 has its front end supported pivotally on the truckbed by a cross rod or bolt 22, which is supported in the side rails 14, and the extensible supporting-frame in its folded condition is adapted to lie compactly upon the truclcbed, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The main section 2O of the extensible supportingframe consists of the side rails 23, having the reinforcement lengths 24 secured thereto by screws or bolts, as at 25, ,(see Figs. 5 and 6,) said parts 23 and 24 being arranged in such relation as to form the longitudinal guideways 2G. The side rails 23 of this frame-section are united together by transverse braces v27', consisting, preferably, of metallic bars or tubes recessed to fit firmly against the side rails and secured firmly thereto by any suitable means. The metallic frame-braces are housed within the jackets 28, of rubber, leather, or other suitable material, which inclose the braces to leave an intermediate airspace, as shown clearly by Figs. 4 and 6, said jackets being fastened in any approved Way to the side rails of the frame-section 20. The employment of the jackets prevents the metallic braces from being heated by the tire when the apparatus is in service close to a burning building, and said jackets also prevent slipping of a person in ascending and descending the supporting-frame. frame 29 is secured firmly to the free end of the main frame-section 20, said head-frame lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the frame-section 2O and serving to support the sheaves that direct the frame-elevating cable. This head-frame has a front rail 30, arranged a suitable distance in advance of the rails of the supportingframe section, the inner face of said rail being curved, as at 30a, to form a gripping-snrface, which serves, in connection with aroller 31, to grip the Water-hose and minimize slippage thereof along the supporting-frame when the same is raised and extended into operative position, the roller 3l being properly journaled in the sides of the head-frame 29.

The slidable section 21 of the extensible supporting-f rame consists of the side rails 32, provided with the metallic Wear-plates 33 and the transverse braces 34. (See Figs. 4, 5, and 6.) The braces 34 of the slidable framesection each has the ends thereof provided with right and left hand screw-threads, respectively, said threaded ends of the braces being screwed into the side rails to draw them together and produce a substantial light construction. The side rails of the slidable frame-section are proportioned to t in the guideways 26, formed by the rails 23 and the reinforcements 24 of the main pivotal framesection. The opposing faces of the side rails 23, forming a part of the main frame-section, are concave, While the Wear-plates 33 of the slidable frame-section are curved to conform to said faces of the main frame-section, thereby insuring snug fitting of the frame-sections one to the other and securing maximum freedom of motion with minimum friction and Wear between the two sections of the supporting-frame. The metallic braces of the slidable frame-section are housed by jackets S5 of any suitable material. It is evident that a iireproof jacket, as of asbestos cloth, may be employed as the covering for the metallic braces on the frame-sections. For the attachment of the cables by which the slidable section 21 is manipulated I provide a cross-bar 3G at the inner or lower end of the slidable frame-section 21.

I will now proceed to describe the means by which the extensible supporting-frame in its entirety may be raised or lon-ered on the pivotal rod or bolt 22. Hoisting-dru ms 37 38 are disposed in horizontal positions on opposite sides of the frame-section 20, and each drum has its shaft 39 journaled in proper bearings provided on a pair of the uprights 16, each shaft 39 being equipped with a gear 40. Associated with each drum 37 or 38 is a power-shaft 41, journaled in proper bearings on the uprights 16, each power-shaft having a gear 42 and ahand-crank 43, said gears 42 arranged to mesh directly with the gears 40 on A head- IIO the drum-shafts. It is to be observed that the driving-shafts 41 are located above the hoisting-drums and on opposite sides of the supporting-frame and in positions to be easily manipulated by firemen stationed on the truckbed, whereby the services of two attendants maybe availed of in quickly lraising the supporting-frame. In connection with the hoisting-drum I employa cable 44, which extends from the drums 37 38 through the headframe 29 at the free end of the main pivotal frame-section, and in connection with this cable a pair of posts are employed and provided with pulleys, through which are reeved the hoisting-cable. A pair of sheaves 45 are journaled in the head-frame 29 at the rear side of the supporting-frame. (See Figs. 4and 5.) The supporting-posts are indicated by the numerals 46 47, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) said posts being disposed on opposite sides of the supporting-frame and stepped detachably on the bed of the truck. I prefer to provide each post with a notched foot, as at 48, (see dotted lines in Fig. 1,) each foot engaging with one of the series of rods 65, supported in the side rails 14 of the truck-bed. The lower notched feet of the posts 46 47 are fitted between the uprights 19 of the rear frame, (see Fig. 3,) and the posts 46 47 are thus conned by the crossrod 65 and the posts 19 against movement when the supporting frame is raised. To brace the posts 46 47 in their upright positions, I employ the stay-posts 49, the upper end of one post 49 being connected detachably by a pin 50 to one supporting-post 46 or 47 at a point intermediate its length, while the lower end of each stay-post is fitted removably on one of the'series of cross-rods 65 ot the truck-bed. (See Fig. 1.) The supporting-posts 46 47 are provided at their upper ends with suitable brackets 51, in which are journaled the sheaves 51. These posts 46 47 and the stay-posts 49 therefor may remain in their upright position when the supportingframe is contracted and folded upon the truckbed; but it is evident that the posts 46 47 may be raised slightly to free the notched feet 48 from the pin 65, thus permitting the supporting-posts and the stays 49 therefor to be folded upon the truck without disengaging the staypost 49 from the truck-bed or the supportingposts. The method of reeving the elevatingcable 44 is as follows: One end of this cable is made fast to one drum, as at 37. From thence the cable extends over the sheave 51 in the post 46, thence to and around the sheaves 45 in the head-frame 29 on the pivoted framesection 20, thence to and over the sheave 51 in the upper end of the supporting-post 47, and finally the cable is carried to and coiled on the druln 38. It is evident that the drums may be operated individually or jointly to coil the cable 44 on one or both ofthe drums, and thereby shorten the length of cable, so as to raise the supporting-frame to any dcsired angle for service; but the weight of the supporting-frame is borne by the cable and the supporting-posts 46 47, said supportingposts being stayed securely in place by the pins 65, the upright frame 19, and the stayposts 49. As is usual in devices of this character, I provide each hoisting-'drum with a ratchet 52, adapted to be engaged by the pawl 53, which holds the drum against rotation and prevents the supporting-frame from lowering when weight is imposed thereon.

I will now proceed to describe the means for adjusting the slidable frame-section 21 lengthwise of the pivoted section 20, and in this connection it is to be observed that the slidable section may be adjusted independr ently. of the pivoted main section 2O and at any point in the position of the ladder. In embodying the adjusting mechanism for the slidable frame-sectionIernployadouble drum 54, arranged in a horizontal position between the uprights 15 and with ashaft 55, journaled in suitable bearings on said uprights. This drum-shaft has a gear 56 at each end, which intermeshes with a similar gear 58 on a driving-shaft 57, said shaft being equipped with hand-cranks 59. An elevating-cable 63 has one end attached to and coiled in one direction on a part or section of the drum 54, while the other end of this elevating-cable passes over a roller 62, journaled on the head-frame 29 of the pivotal frame-section, the extremity of the cable 63 being attached to the crossbar 36 at the foot of the slidable trame-section 21,the arrangement ofthe roller or sheave 62 and the hoisting-cable 63`being such as to make the cable exert an upward pull on the frame-section 20 when the double drum is rotated in a direction to coil the cable 63 thereon. The elevatingcable for the slidable frame-section passes along the pivotal framesection 2O `beneath one of a pair of guidesheaves 60, fitted loosely on the pivotal rod 22, thence beneath one of a pair of guidesheaves 61, supported on a rod 61a, attached to the rails 14 on the truck-bed, and finally is carried to and coiled in one direction on the double drum. A lowering-cable 64 passes from the double drum 54 beneath the other sheaves 6l 60 of the pairs of sheaves and is carried along the frame-section 2O to the cross-bar 36 at the foot of the slidable framesection, said cables 63 64 being fastened securely in any approved way to said cross-bar 36 of the frame-section 21. The loweringcable 64 is coiled on the double drum 54 in a reverse direction to the cable 63, and when the dru m is rotated in either direction one cable will be paid out, while the other cable will be coiled on the drum, whereby the framesection 21 maybe actuated positivelyin either direction. The bed 10 of the truck is provided with a series of cross-rods 65, which are supported in the side rails 14, all ot' said crossrods being disposed in the same horizontal plane. These cross-rods lie above the bottom of the truck-bed, so as to form a compartment 66, in which a length of fire-hose may be compactly stored by coilingthe same IOO IIO

and one length of supplemental ladder 92 may be slipped into the grooved side rails of the coupling-frame until said supportingframes 21 92 have endwise abutting engagement, as shown by Fig. 9. Suitable lockingrods 95 may then be passed through the coupling-frame and the supporting-f rame sections 21 92, after which the pins 96 may be iitted in the rails 94 of the coupling-frame to hold the frame-sections against endwise movement. The coupling-frame whichI employ serves as a substantial means for connectingv one or more lengths of supplemental frame-sections to the section 21 for the purpose of materially elongating the same, and this coupling-frame serves to substantially join the parts together, so as to render the supporting-frame at the joint fully as strong as at other points. Of course the nozzle-carrier should be detached from the frame-section 21 when the supplemental frame-section is united thereto, said nozzle-carrier being fitted to the free end of a suppiemental section.

As is usual in structures of this type, the extensible frame is provided with grapplinghooks 97, which are secured to the side rails of the extensible section 21. In the operation of raising the supporting-frame and adjusting the apparatus for service the frame may be so manipulated as to make the grappling-hooks break the glass in a window of the ioor on which the fire exists, thus permitting the stream from the hose-nozzle to be delivered advantageously on the fire.

The operation may be described, brieiiy, as follows: The apparatus is drawn to the scene of a fire by a team or by other suitable means, and the apparatus is then backed up adjacent to the building. The posts 46 47 having been raised and the several operatingcables properly adjusted, one or two iiremen may operate the cranks 43 to coil the cable 44 on one or both of the drums 37 or 38, thereby raising the hose-supporting frame to the desired inclination. The crank 59 on one or both ends of the shaft 57 may be rotated for the purpose of coiling the cable 63 on one section of the drum 64, thereby paying out the other cable 64 and sliding the frame-section 21 lengthwise the frame-section 20 for any desired distance. In the operation of raising the supporting-frame and of extending the section 2l thereof the nozzle-carrier 7 2 moves with the-frame, and hence the line of hose will be drawn through the brackets on the supporting-frame` and truck, thus withdrawing the proper length of hose from the compartment 66, whereby the nozzle and hose are adj usted for service at the same time the supporting-frame is raised and extended. The hose may receive a supply of liquid from a plug, steamer, or tank, and the water under pressure flows through the hose, so as to be directed by the nozzle' upon the fire. In the operation of raising the supporting-frame the line of hose is collapsed and free from liquid, so that it may move freely through the guidezle clamped therein.

brackets 68 and sheaves 69 and also through the space between the rail 30 and the sheave l.; but when the liquid is forced under pressure through the hose the latter is distended, so that the curved face 30a of the rail and the roller 31 will operate to grip the hose and prevent the Weight of the column of water from dragging down on the nozzle aud rendering the nozzle and its carrier difficult of manipulation. It is evident that the firemen stationed on the truck may shift the lever 81 to draw on the line 78 in order to depress the nozzle; but the movement of the nozzle in the reverse direction is effected by moving the lever to slacken the line 78, whereupon the elasticity of the nozzle-carrier will operate to raise the hose-nozzle. If this is not sufficient, the line 86 may be drawn downward by hand to move the carrier and the noz- The described means operates very efficiently to elevate or depress the nozzle in a vertical plane; but to adjust the nozzle in a horizontal direction I iind it desirable to slightly shift the position of the apparatus. This may be conveniently effected by turni-ng the draft-tongue a few inches, and as the nozzle is located some distance from the truck-bed by theextension of the supporting-frame a very wide sweep or range of adjustment may be given to the hose-nozzle by a slight movement of the drafttongue. It is evident that the supplemental frame-section 92 may be used to extend the length of the main supporting-frame. The slidable section 21 may be retracted within the limits of the main supporting-frame section 20, after which the frame may be lowered upon the bed, the hose may be coiled within its compartment 66, and the posts 46, 47, and 49 may be folded upon the truck.

The apparatus may be equipped with the usual accessories, such as hand-ladders, axes, and other devices.

Changes may be made in the form and pro- -portion of some of the parts while their essential features are retained and the spirit of the invention embodied. Hence I do not desire to be limited to the precise form of all the parts as shown, reserving lthe right to vary therefrom.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the upperpart of the slidable frame-section 21 rests on the roller 62, and in the lower part of the ladder is j ournaled a roller 63, adapted to ride against the guideway in the pivoted frame-section. This arrangement supports the slidable frame-section by roller-bearings, and it is important, because it prevents the slidable section from binding or cramping in the pivoted section, so that the section 21 will always move freely and easily in the pivoted section.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is-e IOO IIO

l. In a fire apparatus, the combination with l ably mounted on the truck and carrying guide-sheaves, a hoisting-drum, and an elevating-cable reeved through the supportingposts and one section of the supporting-frame and connected with the hoisting-drum, substantially as described.

2. In a re apparatus, the combination with a truck, of an extensible pivotal hose-supporting frame having its main section provided with a head-frame, supporting-posts foldably mounted on the' truck, on opposite sides of the frame, and provided with guidesheaves, hoistingdrums mounted on the truck adjacent to the supporting-frame and each having a suitable operating appliance, and a hoisting-cable connected to said drums and reeved through the head-frame and the sup porting-posts, substantially as described.

3. In a fire apparatus, the combination with a truck, and au extensible hose-supporting frame, of supporting-posts stepped detachably on the truck and carrying guide-sheaves, stay-posts having pivotal connection with the truck and the supporting-posts, the hoisting mechanism, and a hoisting cable` reeved through the supportingposts and connected operatively with said supportingeframe and the hoisting mechanism, substantially as described.

il. In a lire apparatus, the combination with a truck comprising side rails, a hose-compartment between the side rails, cross-bars connecting the rails and lying above the hosecompartrnent, an extensible hose-supporting frame mounted pivotally on the truck and adapted to lie upon the supporting bars, means for raising and extending said frame, a nozzle-carrier mounted upon the frame, and 4a hose passed through the hose-compartment and longitudinally of the frame and engaging the nozzle-carrier.

5. Ina lire apparatus, the combination with an extensible hose-supporting frame, of an adjustable nozzle-carrier iitted normally to a slidable section of said frame, a line of hosey having its nozzle clamped in said carrier, means for gripping said hose to relieve the weight of the column of ii uid from the nozzlecarrier, and means for adjusting said nozzlecarrier independently of the adjustment of the supporting-frame, substantially as described.

6. In a lire apparatus, the combination with a hose-supportin g frame comprising side rails and cross-braces, of a yieldable nozzle-carrier engaged with one of the braces, and comprising a spring-Wire bent upon itself andy having its end portions Wrapped around the brace and engaged at its terminals with the side rails, the central portion of the Wire being twisted to form a nozzle-receivin g loop.

7 In a re apparatus, the combination with an extensible hose -supporting frame, of a spring-nozzle carrier mounted on said frame, a line of hose having anozzle clamped in the carrier, and means for adjusting the carrier against the tension of its spring, substantially `one section thereof provided with a roller, a

coiled-spring nozzlecarrier fitted on said roller and provided with arms which are seated against the frame-section, aline of hose having a nozzle clamped in said carrier, and means for adjusting the carrier against the tension of its spring, substantially as described. A

9. In a tire apparatus, the combination with an extensible hose-supporting frame, of a yieldable nozzlecarrier,a line of hose clamped in said carrier, a lever carrying a taire-up drum, and an adjusting-line coiled on said drum and connected to the nozzleecarrier, substantially as described.

10. In a lire apparatus,tl1e combination with an extensible hose-supporting frame, of a yieldable nozzle-carrier, a line of hose, anozzle, a shiftable lever having means for locking the saine in its adj usted position, a takeup drum mounted on the lever and shiftable therewith, means for making said drum fast With the lever, and an adj usting-line attached to the nozzle-carrier and coiled on the drum, substantially as described.

Il. In a lire apparatus, the combination of an extensible hose-supporting frame one section of which is provided with a head-frame having a gripping rail and a sheave which coacts therewith, aline of hose passing between said rail and shoe and adapted to be gripped thereby, a nozzle-carrier, a nozzle clamped in said carrier and connected to the hose, and means for adjusting said nozzle-carrier, substantially as described.

l2. The combination with a hosesupporting frame having metallic rungs, of heat-resisting jackets tted to and inclosing said run gs and separated therefrom by interspaces to receive air, substantially as described.

13. A lire apparatus comprising side rails having metallic braces and reproof jackets secured to the rails and inclosing the braces to leave intermediate ai rspaces,substantially as described.

le. A supporting-traine consisting of separable sections, a coupling frame having grooved side rails and cross-bars and fitted to said sections for the latter to occupy the grooves in its side rails, locking-pins passing through the rails of the coupling-frame and the frame-sections, and other pins fitted in the cross-bars of the coupling-frame, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my oWn I have hereto atdxed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN YV. FALL.

llitnesses:

Dnvin C. BARNHILL, TILLMAN E. WEIL.

IOO

IIO 

